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Feldman undeterred by rough outing

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Scott Feldman can shrug off Tuesday's start because he still has time to get things straightened out. However, he is way ahead of schedule in terms of his hitting.

The Cubs right-hander gave up four runs on six hits over two-plus innings to the Rockies in his second Cactus League start on Tuesday. He departed after serving up Wilin Rosario's two-run homer in the third.

"If you're going to have an outing like today, it's a good thing to have it in spring and not the regular season," Feldman said. "It's an opportunity to kind of sit back and look at things and what I need to work on and make a little bit of adjustment. From where I am right now, second start of spring, I'm just happy I feel good and my fastball is where it needs to be."

Tuesday was the Cubs' first game without using a designated hitter and Feldman, who has limited Interleague at-bats, was the first Cubs player to get a hit with a soft single to right with two outs in the third.

"I didn't hit that ball really hard, but I actually broke the bat," he said. "It'll look like a line drive in the box score."

Before the game, Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Feldman could be slotted in the No. 3 spot in the rotation.

"We've obviously got to get [Matt] Garza healthy and [Scott Baker], too," Feldman said. "I'm just going to keep going about my business and try to hone in on getting that off-speed stuff to where I can throw it for a strike at any count. I'm excited about the start of the season and the opportunity get out there and pitch."

He's scouting his teammates as well and was impressed by second baseman Darwin Barney's play to end the second in which he snared Josh Rutledge's grounder that was headed to center, spun and made a throw in time.

"He's made a lot of good plays so far this spring," Feldman said of the Gold Glove second baseman. "You have guys like that behind you, you're not afraid to pitch to contact."